100 Years of Expectations
Over the past century, beauty standards have been enforced onto people. These standards have been decided for us, not by popular models, actors or superstars, but by the people who try to make these stars as marketable as possible. This directly impacts people who are insecure about the way that they look, aspiring to look just like their idols.
This video essay takes us through the evolution of what is perceived to be an ideal body over the last century. Trends change so quickly that you might not even be done slimming up to look ‘perfect’ before universal preference switches to fuller bodies.
Never let anything, or anyone, else dictate how you feel about your body and the way your body should be.
Directed and edited by: RHYS TRIMBLE
Researched and produced by: SOPHIE FALLON
List of sources
1. Louise Brooks
It’s the Old Army Game. Directed by A. Edward Sutherland, Paramount Pictures, 1926.
Diary of a Lost Girl. Directed by G.W. Pabst, Pabst-Film, 1929.
2. Jean Harlow
Reckless. Directed by Victor Fleming, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1935.
3. Rita Hayworth
Cover Girl. Directed by Charles Vidor, Columbia Pictures, 1944.
4. Runway Show
“A Vintage 1940's Fashion Runway: 4K Restored 1947 Film USA.” YouTube, uploaded by GlamourDaze, 25 Apr. 2023, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XI8tDBI-ZAA.
5. Twiggy
Twiggy. Produced by British Pathé, 1967. British Pathé Archive, Film ID: 1845.09.
6. Marilyn Monroe
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. Directed by Howard Hawks, Twentieth Century-Fox, 1953.
Some Like It Hot. Directed by Billy Wilder, United Artists, 1959.
7. Dorothy Dandridge
DorothyJeanDandridge. "Dorothy Dandridge @ Cannes Film Festival (1955)." YouTube, 21 Oct. 2024, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_d_pE0G1mE.
8. Jane Fonda
Jane Fonda’s Workout. Directed by Sid Galanty, Karl Home Video / RCA Video Productions, 1982.
9. Grace Jones
Jones, Grace. “La Vie en Rose.” Portfolio,
10. Kate Moss
Calvin Klein: Obsession. Directed by Mario Sorrenti, performance by Kate Moss,
Costello, Brid. “Kate Moss: The Waif That Roared.” Women’s Wear Daily, 13 Nov. 2009, https://wwd.com/feature/kate-moss-the-waif-that-roared-2364372/.
11. Paris Hilton
“Paris Hilton Spends An Entire Day Spending [2008].” YouTube, uploaded by X17onlineVideo, 23 Sept. 2017, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MT4e2S1vIjk.
“Paris Hilton and Beau Attend Her Sister's Fashion Show in LA.” YouTube, uploaded by AP Archive, 21 July 2015, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KmD8ojrxLA.
12. Britney Spears
Spears, Britney. “Gimme More.” MTV Video Music Awards 2007, MTV, 9 Sept. 2007.
13. Kim Kardashian
Keeping Up with the Kardashians. Created by Ryan Seacrest, E! Entertainment Television, 2007–2021.
14. Nicki Minaj
Minaj, Nicki. “Nicki Minaj - Anaconda.” YouTube, directed by Colin Tilley, uploaded by NickiMinajAtVEVO, 19 Aug. 2014, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDZX4ooRsWs.
15. Kylie Jenner
“How to Get Kylie Jenner’s Voluptuous Lips.” Inside Edition, CBS Media Ventures, 27 Oct. 2014, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAn8S9P-P-M.
16. Ashley Graham
“5 Tips for Finding Your Perfect Summer Swimsuit With Ashley Graham.” YouTube, uploaded by Glamour, 23 May 2016, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50-Urq1Netg.
“Meet Your 2016 Rookie: Ashley Graham.” YouTube, uploaded by Sports Illustrated Swimsuit, 9 Feb. 2016, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mD67G7_A2X0.
17. Gabriette Bechtel
Saint Laurent Women’s Winter 26 Show. Directed by Anthony Vaccarello, performance by Gabbriette Bechtel and Mette Towley, Saint Laurent, 3 Mar. 2026, https://www.ysl.com.
18. Serena Williams
Serena’s on Ro. Directed by Bethany Vargas, performance by Serena Williams, Ro / Young Hero, 2026.
19. This Morning
“My Brazilian Bum Lift Nearly Killed Me.” YouTube, uploaded by This Morning, 11 Mar. 2024, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvGxT8mz81U.
20. Clara Dao
@claradao on TikTok